Summit Park to utilize $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation

Blue Ash Parks and Recreation Director Brian Kruse, Duke Energy Sr. Government Affairs Specialist J. Chad Shaffer, and Blue Ash City Manager David Waltz holding giant check
(Pictured left to right: Blue Ash Parks and Recreation Director Brian Kruse, Duke Energy Sr. Government Affairs Specialist J. Chad Shaffer, and Blue Ash City Manager David Waltz)

The creek area where the grant funding will be utilized.
(The grant funding will be used to restore the creek area in the center of the picture.) 

(January 21, 2020 - Blue Ash)

The City of Blue Ash Parks and Recreation Department is honored to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation’s Powerful Communities Program. The check was presented to Blue Ash City Manager David Waltz and Blue Ash Parks and Recreation Director Brian Kruse yesterday in Blue Ash. 

The funds will help finance the Blue Ash Summit Park Stream Restoration Project, which is part of the park’s state-of-the-art water recycling system. Most of the rain that falls on the park is collected and reused in an irrigation system, which replenishes the Great Lawn and other park landscapes.

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue the Creek Restoration at Summit Park. With Duke Energy’s help, we are looking forward to building on this natural initiative and further enhance the Playscape space already beloved by our Community,” said Blue Ash Parks and Recreation Director Brian Kruse.

Thanks to this funding support from Duke Energy and a 2015 Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant from the Ohio EPA and the U.S. EPA, the on-site creek is being restored to serve as a natural filter to help reduce erosion and pollution.

The creek, along with stormwater collection ponds, mimics the filtration of natural wetlands and contributes to the unique Naturescape playground at Summit Park.  At the one-of-a-kind Natural Playscape, stones rocks, sand and water come together for a play experience that delights children of all ages.

The Duke Energy Grant funding will focus on native meadow planting and rockwork to the south of the pedestrian bridge and adjacent to the Children’s Playscape area. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2020.

The Duke Energy Foundation’s Powerful Communities program makes strategic investments to build powerful communities where our natural resources thrive, students can excel and a talented workforce drives economic prosperity for all. The Foundation funnels more than $30 million to communities annually through Duke Energy’s seven-state service area.